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November 6, 2018
Criminal justice reform ballot measures passing in Florida and Louisiana, but losing badly in Ohio
As noted in prior posts here and here, a whole lot of criminal justice matters were before voters this year. And though results are not yet official, it seems there are a few notable winners and one big loser:
Florida's Amendment 4, which would restore people’s voting rights after they finish their sentences (with a few exceptions), and Amendment 11, which enables the repeal or reform of criminal laws to be applied retroactively, both appear on pace to pass.
And Louisiana's Amendment 2, eliminating non-unanimous jury verdicts in felony trials, also looks to pass.
But Ohio's Issue 1, which sought to reduce all drug possession offenses to misdemeanors and enhance sentence reductions for prisoners participating in rehabilitative programs, has been soundly defeated.
November 6, 2018 at 10:45 PM | Permalink
Comments
Oregon now is all by its lonesome on 10-2 jurors. Like Louisiana, the history of OR's policy does not do it any favors. https://www.theadvocate.com/baton_rouge/news/courts/article_db7c4a82-0a9b-11e8-80fd-7b5b18c775c3.html
Posted by: John | Nov 7, 2018 12:42:00 AM
Shame on Oregon!
Posted by: Michael R. Levine | Nov 7, 2018 12:34:49 PM
I wouldn't have so much trouble with non-unanimous guilty verdicts ((at least at a 5/6 threshold) if any lesser count were an outright acquittal.
Posted by: Soronel Haetir | Nov 7, 2018 1:17:52 PM
